SALT LAKE CITY—To say 2020 was a tough year would be an understatement, but there was hope and optimism for the coming year as the 2021 Legislative session got underway on Tuesday. Even as lawmakers wore masks and were separated by plexiglass. 

“2020 was a tragic year for the world, for our country and for our state,” said House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville in his opening remarks. “More than a thousand Utah families – including several in this body – have lost loved ones. Thousands more have faced serious health challenges due to COVID-19. But in the midst of all this tragedy, we have seen Utahns facing adversity with determination, overcoming challenges with innovation and lifting others with compassion.”

Wilson shared the story of the 1980 Olympic hockey team that against all odds beat the Soviets to win a Gold Medal. “That group of boys went toe-to-toe with the Soviet juggernaut that night, culminating in an astonishing victory in what we now call the Miracle on Ice,” he said. “Over the past few days I’ve had those words running through my mind as I think about Utah’s situation. Great moments are born from great opportunity. My friends, despite some significant challenges – daunting challenges – this is a time of great opportunity for our state.”

The legislature is going to work harder and smarter than ever before, he said. “We are going to come together like never before because the moment demands nothing less.”

“The last 12 months have been unprecedented and historic,” said Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton. “We began the 2020 General Session one year ago, unaware of what was to come. Physical distancing had yet to become part of our regular vocabulary. We did not think twice about gathering in large groups and surely, none of us imagined a day when we would need to stockpile face masks, hand sanitizer and toilet paper.”

The state also saw hurricane winds, earthquakes and unrest in the country and at the state Capitol, he said. “The events of this summer and in the past week have caused me to reflect on our country’s and state’s history. We need to learn from the lessons of the past – avoid the pitfalls of those who have gone before us. We will lose what makes our country the beacon of hope, the American dream, everything that is so precious to us if we continue down this path. Our very freedoms are at stake.”

In the Senate, individuals come together, said Adams. “Our work this year is just beginning. We have a long road ahead of us and many things have changed, including the annual general session. But we are all convening and we are ready to do the people’s business and represent our constituents. What a difference a pandemic makes.”

Adams and Wilson both talked about funding education. “Every single student deserves the opportunity to gain a quality education no matter where they live,” said Wilson. “For a student to thrive in the dynamic 21st century, that education must include reading, writing and arithmetic...but that’s not good enough. In an age when we can access any fact by asking our phones, students need to develop critical thinking skills, financial literacy and an appreciation of their civic responsibility. Above all, that education must be readily available to students in every classroom, in every district across our state, regardless of their ZIP code.”

“Education and education funding will always be our top priority,” Adams said. “We will continue to demonstrate this by increasing education funding even during a pandemic. We will also need to explore a more equitable education funding distribution and parents need to be given more control.”

Utah faced some incredible challenges in 2020 and met adversity head-on, said Adams. “The great people of Utah deserve all the credit. Their fortitude enabled us to emerge from 2020 stronger, as individuals and as a state. Now it’s time to go to work and get it done.”